Aquilegia elegantula

(Red Columbine)

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Aquilegia elegantula, FR 612, Lone Cone Area, San Miguel Co. 3523

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Aquilegia elegantula, Mt. Antero, Chaffee Co. 6229

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Aquilegia elegantula, FR 612, Lone Cone Area, San Miguel Co. 3535

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Aquilegia elegantula, Lower Cataract Lake, Summit Co. 5452

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Aquilegia elegantula, Blue Lakes Trail, Ouray Co. 5331

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Aquilegia elegantula, Blue Lakes Trail, Ouray Co. 5466

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Aquilegia elegantula, FR 612, Lone Cone Area, San Miguel Co. 3525

Scientific Name Aquilegia elegantula USDA PLANTS Symbol AQEL
Common Name Shooting Star Columbine, Red Columbine, Western Red Columbine ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 18735
Family Ranunculaceae (Buttercup) SEINet
Reference
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Description Life zones and habitat: Montane and subalpine (6500 to 11800 ft); moist hillsides, forest edges and openings.
Plant: Erect perennial, 4 to 24 inches tall, slender stems.
Leaves: Bright green, hairless, mostly basal leaves growing on long stalks divided into three leaflets up to about 1-1/4 inches across, further divided into three smaller lobes.
Inflorescence: Drooping red blossoms on slender, curved stalks, each with 5 petal-like sepals with reddish bases and greenish tips angling downward; 5 bright yellow to red petals that taper into upward (or backward)-pointing straight spurs; yellow stamens.
Bloom Period: May to July.
References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, "Guide to Colorado Wildflowers" by G.K. Guennel, American Southwest, and SEINet.
BONAP Distribution Map


Map Color Key
Colorado Status:
Native

© Tom Lebsack 2024

Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains